Please send any Long Beach or Seal Beach pet-related events or projects to [email protected]. Posting subject to approval.
Virtually Pets
“Kitten season sounds so cute. But it is really not cute.” That’s how cat expert Hannah Shaw, aka The Kitten Lady, opens her video “Changing the World for Kittens.”
Kitten season isn’t capitalized because it’s not a day of celebration. (See “The Kittens Are Coming,” April 12, 2018). Cats are prolific at any time, but between late March and early October, they can breed like rabbits, and their kittens can be having kittens before the season’s up. Cats can become pregnant at 6 months old, before they’ve had a chance to fully enjoy their catolescence.
And what happens to most of those adorable babies? They’re dumped in the street. They’re used as bait for dogfighting. They’re spirited away to the shelter while their mothers are out hunting. If they make it to the shelter, most of them are subject to euthanasia because there aren’t enough resources to care for them.
Shaw, however, is a tiger mom to cats of all stripes and patterns who puts everything she has into fighting for their little lives. Yet she manages to look like a billion dollars before taxes—her spirit and persona are as much works of art as her liberally tatted body. She saves countless newborn kittens and provides valuable information in an offbeat, entertaining way. You could be completely indifferent to cats, but Shaw’s presentations will engross you so completely that you couldn’t help but learn something about caring for the tiny creatures. Even better for people who come wanting to learn how to save kittens—they’ll get everything they expected to learn and things they never knew they needed to know.
Find out for yourself. On Saturday, Sept. 15, from 2 to 4 p.m., The Kitten Lady will present her magnum o-puss at the El Dorado Park West Community Center, 2800 Studebaker Road, Long Beach (see Things to Do, Pets to Support). It’ll be a purr-ty—OK, I’ll stop—you’ll learn about caring for underage orphan kittens, and you’ll also enjoy a meet-and-greet with Shaw; hop aboard the mew-nique (OK, I lied) Moon Cat Café, where the pastries and coffee are surpassed only by the adoptable cats; poke your nose around the vendor tables; admire works by a cat artist (a human who paints pictures of cats, not a phantasmagorical feline in a beret. wielding palette and brush); and bid on cat-themed gift baskets.
The Kitten Lady is joining forces with a pride of other feline avatars. The Little Lion Foundation, a Long Beach-based nonprofit dedicated to saving the lives of orphan and underage kittens and ensuring them good lives, hosts the event. Its motto is “Because every cat deserves to roar,” and by every cat, they mean “every cat.” Under their extended paw, kittens in brutal shape—messes of scabs and scars and blindness in one or both eyes become healthy, lovely cats. Yes, they lose some lives, but not for lack of effort or know-how. Newborn kittens are delicate, and more so when compromised with viruses like feline leukemia (FeLV), various infections, and being ripped from their parents, tied up in a plastic bag, and tossed into a dumpster. That happened this week, by the way—check out ACS’s video. Guess who took in the kittens.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Hannah, aka The Kitten Lady, back to Long Beach to teach this workshop on how to care for and support underage and orphan kittens,” said Jessica Ruth, cofounder of The Little Lion Foundation. “We’re still in the midst of kitten season and need more fosters to temporarily take kittens into their homes. This workshop will give interested fosters everything they need to know to help save and care for tiny but mighty lives and will help us raise funds to open the first kitten nursery in our hometown.”
Yes! A kitten nursery! One of those resources that Long Beach lacks will be coming soon to the city and will be a partnership between rescues such as The Little Lion and CatPAWS in conjunction with (ACS). Lots of little lives will be saved. More on this later!
Meanwhile, get your event ticket—$39.95, available at kittenlady.org/events or at the door. Partners in presentation include Helen Sanders CatPAWS, Moon Cat Café, Pet Food Express and Nulo pet food. For more information on The Kitten Lady herself, visit kittenlady.org, like and follow her on social media @kittenxlady, and watch her instructional videos on her YouTube channel.
Here are some of the results of Little Lion’s efforts, rescued and beautiful. For adoption information, email [email protected].
Gray-and-white Wednesday was saved from a shelter at just 7 days old. Without The Little Lion, she likely would have been subject to euthanasia. Wednesday is 4 months old now and is an extremely affectionate girl who will do anything for your attention. Prue, the little Siamese-y to her right, has found her home.
Ooh, la-la, these two! Kevin (left) and Kate (right, and probably not a namesake) were rescued at just a few hours old after being posted on Craigslist for sale. Little Lion’s very own Warrior Momma fought tooth and nail to get them to safety, as they were going to be sold as snake bait. [When an animal rescuer expresses hatred toward people, this is one reason, and I assume they don’t mean you. Rescuing has its rewards, but it also has stuff like this.] The two models are 6 months old, extremely sweet and still waiting for their forever homes.
Andy, 6 months old, was rescued from probable euthanasia at a shelter. He was part of a litter of five 2-day-old kittens. Despite his amazing personality and sweet temperament, Andy is still waiting to find his perfect home. He’s unfortunately the last of his siblings to be adopted, and we can’t fathom why—he’s a great cat all around.
Things to Do, Pets to Support
Long Beach Animal Advocates ‘Meeting of the Advocates’
Thursday, Sept. 13, 7–9 p.m., Long Beach Marriott, 4700 Airport Plaza Drive., Long Beach
Public welcome
Join this group of dedicated animal advocates as they regroup with new direction and initiatives. Bring your positive attitude and innovative, life-saving ideas!
Saving Kittens’ Lives workshop and fundraiser, with Kitten Lady Hannah Shaw
Saturday, Sept. 15, 2–4 p.m., El Dorado Park West Community Center, 2800 N. Studebaker Road, Long Beach
Tickets: $39.95; a portion of ticket sales will benefit The Little Lion Foundation https://www.facebook.com/thelittlelionfoundation
If you’re expecting an eccentric cat person raving about kitties, yes. But you have no idea where her whimsies will take you or how much you’ll learn about cat care! Hannah Shaw can captivate an audience the way that little birdie does to the cat on the other side of the window—she’ll teach you how to care for underage, orphaned kittens so that more lives will be saved. Best of all, your ticket purchase will help The Little Lion Foundation do just that as well! Purchase tickets here.
K9 Kismet Yappy Hour
Friday, Sept. 28, Baja Sharkeez, 211 Main St. Huntington Beach
$25 wristbands at the door; $20 at www.paypal.com, [email protected]
K9 Kismet is raising money for the puppies of one of their rescues. Kayla—Fiona now—has been diagnosed with a genetic disorder called urachal remnant abnormality, and three of her siblings are symptomatic, as is momma Salem. Their adopters are going through a series of diagnostics to confirm or rule out this disorder, including urinalysis, ultrasounds, medications and potentially corrective surgery. One expects healthy puppies at adoption, and the adopters aren’t prepared to financially tackle this type of condition. We feel it is our duty to stand by our adopters and help them get these babies healthy. So, come down and enjoy two-for-one drinks, appetizers, Jell-O shots, raffles, prizes and a 50/50 drawing. How could you have any more fun helping? K9 Kismet is a 501c3 rescue, and all donations are tax deductible.
Pet First Aid and CPR Class
Saturday, Sept. 29, Bloomfield Animal Hospital, 20927 Norwalk Blvd., Lakewood
Free event; register online here
Join up to learn how to administer CPR and first aid to your pet. This event could save your pet’s life.
‘Show Us Your Kitties!’ Calendar Contest, benefiting Helen Sanders Cat Paws
To Sept. 30, guidelines here
$10 to reserve a date for your cat on the calendar; $1 per vote for an entire page, $5 minimum starting vote
Want to help Helen Sanders CatPAWS raise money to save cats from public shelters? Submit a photo of your kitty and/or vote for your favorites! Also, because CatPAWS believes in working with other groups toward our common goal of saving more lives, you may designate an organization other than Helen Sanders CatPAWS as a recipient when you enter. If you are one of the top three winners, a portion of the money raised after expenses will go to that group! For $10, you can also reserve a date for your own cat’s birthday. All funds benefit pets.
Fix Long Beach Free Spay/Neuter Clinic—sponsored by Justin Rudd and his nonprofit Community Action Team—Cats Only!
Saturday, Oct. 13, 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m., Long Beach Marine Stadium, 5225 E. Paoli Way, Long Beach
PLEASE BRING DONATIONS FOR THE AIDS FOOD BANK: NONPERISHABLE ITEMS SUCH AS PEANUT BUTTER, PASTA, CEREAL, TUNA, AND GRANOLA BARS. BRING SOCKS AS WELL.
Have your cat spayed or neutered free with appointment and qualifications; vet appointment with voucher, minimal charge for dogs and cats; flea meds $10; shots and dewormer $10 each; nail trimming, $10.
It’s now the law to fix your pets in Long Beach and many Southern California cities. To provide this costly service to our Long Beach residents who otherwise couldn’t afford it, Fix Long Beach offers this service free of charge.
Make an appointment through IM or email at [email protected] for your pet, and include (1) your name, (2) address, (3) phone number, (4) pet’s name, (5) age, (6) sex, (7) breed, and (8) weight, and Fix will see if they can schedule you. You can also come as a standby, but be there at 8:30 a.m. Make sure that your pet has had nothing to eat or drink past 10 p.m. the previous night.
Vouchers are provided through Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS) Spay/Neuter Assistance Voucher Program and may be used at specified veterinary clinics. They are available for pets who don’t have appointments or dogs too large to fit on the truck.
To donate, visit our page. In-kind donations such as leashes, collars and toys can be brought to our event or ordered through our Amazon wish list.
For both spay/neuter and vaccinations, all dogs must be on sturdy leashes and all cats must be in dedicated carriers. Fix thanks you in advance for being responsible for your pet’s health and for helping to reduce shelter overpopulation and euthanasia.
Pup-Crawl for Dog-toberfest, to Benefit Fix Long Beach, sponsored in part by Long Beach Post
Saturday, Oct. 20, 5–9 p.m., Red Leprechaun, 4000 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach
Tickets: $50; includes drink tickets and appetizer
Hop on The Big Red Bus for all the fun you can handle! Fix Long Beach’s fundraiser will begin at Red Leprechaun and stop at Malainey’s Grill, Shenanigans and Gallagher’s. Your ticket includes a drink ticket for beer, wine or champagne, and appetizers at one location. Drink sales will continue on the bus for an additional cost. You’ll meet at the Red Leprechaun at 5 p.m., The Big Red Bus will pick up at 6 p.m., and you’ll return to The Red Lep at 9 p.m. The Red Leprechaun will be staying open late for dinner. We are looking for sponsors, so if you know a business or individual that would like to fly their banner on the bus, please email [email protected]. All proceeds will go toward Fix’s goal of spay/neuter and rescue in the LBC. And thank you, Long Beach Post, for sponsoring this wild ride!
Ongoing
Pet Adoption Locations
Photo courtesy of West Coast Animal Rescue
The following pet-related businesses regularly feature cat, dog and rabbit adoptions. If you’re a Long Beach-area rescue and don’t see your adoption event listed here, please email [email protected].
Petco Animal Supplies, Marina Shores
6500 Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach
Helen Sanders CatPAWS permanent adoption center, store hours
Rabbit Rescue Inc., adoptable rabbits daily, store hours
Live Love Animal Rescue, first Sunday of the month, 1–3 p.m.
Unleashed by Petco
600 Redondo Ave.
Foreverhome Pet Rescue, Inc., Sundays, noon–4 p.m.
PetSmart, Long Beach Exchange
3871 N. Lakewood Blvd., Long Beach
The Cat Cove, Saturdays, noon–4 pm
Jellicle Cats Foundation, Saturdays, noon—4 p.m.
PetSmart Signal Hill
2550 Cherry Ave., Signal Hill
Kitty Katchers, Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Stray Cat Alliance, permanent adoption center, store hours
PetSmart Compton
1775 South Alameda St., Compton
Zazzy Cats Kitty Rescue, permanent adoption center, store hours
Rabbit Rescue Inc., one adoptable rabbit daily, store hours
PetSmart Seal Beach
12341 Seal Beach Blvd., Seal Beach
Helen Sanders CatPAWS permanent adoption center, store hours
West Coast Animal Rescue, Saturdays, noon–4 p.m.
Dogs in Need, Saturdays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Pet Food Express, 4220 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach
Pet Food Express Cat Adoption Center, permanent adoption center, business hours
alternate weekends, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Fix Long Beach, occasional weekends
Live Love Animal Rescue, first Saturday of each month, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Ozzie and Friends Rescue, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., alternate Sundays
The Little Lion Foundation, alternate weekends, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Gelson’s Market, 6255 E. Second St.
Sparky and the Gang Animal Rescue
Bank of America, 5101 E. Second St., Long Beach
Long Beach Spay & Neuter Foundation, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Register for Best Friends’ Strut Your Mutt Walk Event
Imagine this: You’re surrounded by animal lovers just like you. Everywhere you look, there are dogs of all shapes and sizes, all happy with tails wagging. Excitement is in the air.
You don’t have to imagine it. That’s what Best Friends’ Strut Your Mutt is all about! This year’s LA Strut takes place Oct. 20 (time to be announced) at Exposition Park. This fur-filled festival not only rallies friends, family and neighbors to help save the lives of homeless pets in your community, but it also supports the lifesaving work of Best Friends Animal Society. You can find everything you need to know right here.
BARK Therapy Dogs Reading with Kids
See website for information
Founded in 2007, BARK (Beach Animals Reading with Kids) is a nonprofit all-volunteer program that encourages children to increase their reading skills and self-confidence by reading aloud to certified therapy dogs. Students sometimes find it intimidating to read in front of classmates but love to read to the non-judgmental, calming dogs. BARK now has 170 teams listening to kids in more than 100 schools and libraries in California—Long Beach libraries visited monthly are Bach, El Dorado, Bayshore, Brewitt and Los Altos; outlying-area libraries include Hawaiian Gardens, Iacoboni and Los Alamitos. BARK teams also visit nursing homes, senior living facilities and veteran centers. They even de-stress college students during finals week! For all events, check out BARK’s calendar. To find information about volunteering your furry buddy or to arrange a visit to your school, library or other community, contact the group at [email protected] or 562-235-8835.
SNP/LA Mobile Low-Cost Pet Vaccines
Locations and dates vary; visit link in text
For low-cost vaccines, visit this link Note that pet owners must be 18 years or older, all pets must be on leashes or in carriers, and only healthy and non-pregnant animals will be vaccinated. Please bring prior vaccination information to the clinic. Vaccination and microchip services are provided for pets residing in any city. Licensing is provided for residents within our jurisdiction at Saturday clinics; please bring your renewal notice and rabies certificate with you. Low/cost spay/neuter information is also available through SNP/LA.
Free Pet Food Distributions
Papa, a big “teddy bear’ of a dog, sits with his human in Ashlee’s Pet Care station at Beacon for Him.
Beacon for Him has extended an outreach for people experiencing homelessness and their pets. Pet food, primarily dog food, is available at their facility at 439 W. Anaheim St., Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon and Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. A dog-washing station with a stainless-steel tub is also available onsite at these hours. Donations and supplies such as shampoo, flea control and, of course, pet food are always gratefully accepted.
The Pet Food Bank is sponsored by Christian Outreach in Action . COA is located at 515 E. Third St., Long Beach. Hours are Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m.
Contact The Pet Food Bank in Seal Beach at [email protected] if you or your organization wants to help people feed their pets.
Pets of the Homeless is the angel host that provides so many collection places across the country for homeless people to care for their animals as best as they can. Please support them through a cash donation, or bring food to the Long Beach-area drop-off center, Trendi Pawz Grooming, 3726 E. Seventh St. Access this link for resources and donation areas in SoCal and across the country.
Shelter-Enrichment Supplies Needed for ACS Dogs and Cats!
Drop-off: Wednesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach
Individual donations requested
ACS is continuing our kennel enrichment activities for our canine guests here and could use so more donations (there are plenty for the cats!). Here is what’s needed:
- creamy peanut butter
- yogurt
- beef broth (canned or in the box)
- chicken broth (canned or in the box)
- incense
- carabiner clips (heavy duty)
- ice cube trays
- pipe cleaners
- toilet paper/paper towel rolls
- cat toys
- corks from bottles (for cat toys)
- catnip
- canned cat and dog food
Donations are tax deductible. Our pups and kitties say thanks so much!